At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a minor strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an original product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
